◈ Episode 099

"You've been waiting a long time. The test results are back."

Kushan, dressed in a gown, approached holding Arya's medical report. As soon as he met Kim Ihyeon's face, he let out a sigh. His expression that looked like he was dying of exhaustion was a bonus.

"I have a lot to say, yes. But first, I should say that I'm glad you brought me here."

"What's the condition?"

"Malnutrition, food poisoning, and a stomach full of worms. Judging by his development, it seems he hasn't eaten properly in a long time. If he were a normal person, he would have died long ago."

It wasn't an exaggeration or anything.

This guy has been eating suspicious mushrooms as his staple food. If it's only for a few days, then it's fine, but for years. It makes you wonder how his stomach is doing.

"I guess I can say that it's fortunate that there are no signs of an infectious disease. I'll have to slowly correct my eating habits while taking medication."

"Is that okay?"

"Surprisingly."

Even to Kushan, it was an unusual case.

The forest where Arya lived was polluted by a disaster. It was an environment where not only people but also wild animals could not survive.

However, no serious problems were found. No, I should say that there were problems, but the body was holding up well. The innate natural healing power and immunity were extraordinary.

"If you feed them well, their bodies will get better soon."

"Then is the head the bigger problem?"

"...It certainly seems like there are areas where emotional development is lacking."

Even though the tone was a bit like that, it was a valid point.

"Reading and writing are impossible. I don't know if he learned it from his parents or from someone else, but he can speak, but... basic communication seems to be his limitation."

"I'm sorry to bring you such a headache."

"Here we go again, I thought."

Kushan, who said that half-jokingly and half-seriously, chuckled.

"That doesn't mean we deserve an apology. Even if we're not philanthropists, it's true that those who have suffered from the disaster need a helping hand."

It's a burden that can be handled. Besides, I heard that the Lab's agents also received help from Arya. If you think of it as a reward, it wouldn't be difficult to take care of them.

"You're ultimately the same type as Leila."

"I'm just saying that's the rap policy. It's something I can't go against."

"Yeah, yeah."

Kushan swallowed his bitter taste at the reaction that seemed to know everything. He wanted to explain in detail the rational reasons why it was okay to accept Arya, but it seemed like it would only end up making excuses for nothing.

"What are you going to do about education?"

"Don't worry about that. I'll leave it to Asterike."

"Asterique?"

He made a muttering sound as if he was thinking hard.

"Is that really okay?"

A tone that clearly shows distrust. It was understandable. After the agreement between Lab and Dustbone was signed, Kim Lee Hyun and Chelsea have been actively cooperating with Lab's activities.

There were moments when Asterike was active. However, she does not move unless Kim Yi-hyun gives her instructions. The temperature difference between when Kim Yi-hyun is around and when he is not is clear.

As it was not something that happened for a day or two, that kind of attitude was famous in rap. Rather than being a collaborator, Asterike was purely Kim Lee Hyun's subordinate. That was the common perception among the agents.

It has never really been an issue.

Kim Yi-hyun's status is rising, and if he receives orders, Asterike will do his job well enough. Drawing a line according to affiliation is something that anyone can do.

Rather, Kim Lee-Hyeon reacted more sensitively than the agents.

"He should be able to see his surroundings a little bit too."

"That's what it was like. You must be having a hard time too."

Kushan understood Kim Ihyeon's true intentions at a glance. Arya was chosen as a stepping stone or something to grow Asterike. It was also the perfect timing.

People tend to become more mature when they have someone to take responsibility for besides themselves.

Kim Lee-hyun was like that too.

* * *

"I heard the news, but that..."

Chelsea, whose tail was slurred, shifted her gaze. Asterike was across from her. And to her left, a girl with animal ears was clinging to her more tightly than necessary.

"We get along well."

"I don't like it at all…!"

Asterike pushes Arya's head away in an irritating manner. One side sticks and the other side tries to pull away repeatedly. At this point, it almost looks like some kind of prank.

"What did you say your name was?"

"Arya is Arya."

"Ah, I see you understand that much."

"Because he's so smart."

Grammar is a mess. Since he doesn't usually speak, his pronunciation is also awkward. But his meaning is conveyed well, so it was much more normal than I expected.

"I see. But why do you follow Mr. Asterike so much?"

When I asked a question, I got a puzzled response instead of an answer.

Chelsea asked again, revising the question in her head.

"So, why do you like that person?"

My ears perked up at the very basic content. This time, I seemed to understand. It was difficult to gauge how much I could understand without any problems.

"신."

"...Uh, yes?"

"It's God."

Chelsea's brow furrowed. What the hell are you talking about? She looked at Arya, but she seemed to have nothing more to say, so she motioned to Asterike for an explanation.

But I could only shake my head.

"I don't know either. I think people just use it without knowing the meaning."

"God is reborn."

"That's amazing. I guess you know."

"Then, if you just give him food, he'll all look like a god to you."

Asterike showed her displeasure openly. Naturally, the reason she didn't slap Arya away was because of Kim Ihyeon's request.

I'm a kid with no place to go, so just hang out with people.

Those two words were the end of it. There were no specific instructions. Kim I-hyeon didn't particularly want Asterike to help with Aria's daily life and act as her babysitter.

'I understand why you put it there.'

Of the three, only Chelsea noticed Kim Hyun-joo's intentions. She probably hopes that the two will influence each other positively and grow mentally.

It was a decision that I could understand. Arya followed along well from the beginning, and Asterike was annoying but couldn't fight her off. I think they'll get along well as time goes by.

You will also be forced to reflect on your own actions.

"If you look closely, the current situation is really strange. They say strange people just keep getting involved."

"I totally agree."

Pecatum, an addict whose symptoms are getting worse and worse. An isolated and helpless princess who gets stabbed in the back of the head by even her only friend. And now, a woman with animal ears whose mental age is estimated to be under 10 years old.

'They say if you want to know a person, look at the people around them.'

I began to suspect that there was something wrong with Kim Yi-hyun. When I thought about it, I realized that I was also a troublemaker who did strange things whenever I got the chance.

'I guess I'm the only one in my right mind.'

Chelsea, who calls herself the 'only normal person', couldn't help but sigh.

There was never a single day of peace. Ever since Kim Yi-hyun came to her house, her peace was shattered without a trace.

'I'm saying that I live ten times busier than other people.'

A workaholic, just like in a painting. I heard that the agents of the rap are relatively free-spirited during normal times, but Kim Yi-hyun always brings work to him. It seems like he gets sick of being idle.

As the thought occurred to me, I suddenly became anxious.

"Mr. Asterique. Have you heard anything from that human?"

"What are you talking about?"

"I have somewhere to go, or I'm looking for some information."

"No, nothing."

It was a difficult answer to be reassured about. Rather than saying 'no', it was closer to the nuance of saying that he didn't know. As expected, Asterique's face soon turned gloomy.

"We haven't had much conversation lately. I've been avoiding you a bit too, but..."

"Ah, um."

"I think I did something to upset Hyun."

"I know the situation, but I'm not angry."

In the end, it's this kind of flow.

Every time, Kim Yi-hyun becomes the center of attention. Of course, I don't intend to take issue with that in itself. It's a typical common denominator between the two, and even now, Chelsea was the first to bring it up.

But since we had been talking all along, I couldn't not know.

Asterike's way of thinking is becoming increasingly misguided. I've been agreeing with him up until now, but I felt like I should point it out at least once.

"I know it may be a bit presumptuous, but if we really have to get involved, shouldn't Mr. Asterike consider the president's position as well?"

"What are you talking about? Of course I'm thinking about it."

"So what I'm saying is not that you have to do well so that you won't be hated. I'm talking about how you treat others in rap, and how you are treated in return."

The expression on his face still looks a bit puzzled.

Chelsea let out a sigh that was about to burst out.

"To put it bluntly, Mr. Asterike doesn't have any feelings for the people here. He just says it's because the boss keeps talking about agreements and such."

"What's the problem?"

"You can't show it so openly. Other people will think, 'Hyun is trustworthy, but Asterike is not.' Naturally, Dustborne's reputation will also drop."

If you just do what Hyun says, everything will be fine. Don't worry about other people... It's like putting all the blame on others. In Chelsea's view, this way of thinking is the height of extreme selfishness.

"Now, we eat meals every day, get paid generously, and use electricity like crazy. These are all just compensations for labor. It's not like the boss is some kind of great person and gives us rewards for following along obediently."

It was such an obvious thing. Even a child could understand it if they thought about it a little.

'I'm sure Mr. Asterike doesn't know either.'

He's not that stupid.

It was just that the wandering life was too hard for her. She had a hard time earning even a single meal on her own, but as soon as Kim I-hyeon showed up, her life completely changed.

It is not strange that you end up giving more importance to Kim Yi-hyun's thoughts than your own. You are unconsciously afraid that you might go back to your previous life.

But that is a burden to Kim Lee-Hyeon.

"It's not like, 'I have to follow the boss unconditionally because I can't live without him.' Then, if I do something wrong, it's all his fault?"

Sometimes, no, often, it sucks to take them on a helicopter, but that's not the time to bring it up.

"I'll just do it because you told me to. No, think of it as working together."

"I thought Chelsea was forcing herself to follow me."

"At first, it was semi-forced. If I didn't like it now, I would have run away a long time ago. I'm confident that I can earn a living on my own, but I'm staying on my own. I think what I'm doing is meaningful."

"...."

"As we talked, the topic changed."

Chelsea's eyes softened. She looked concerned as she sorted out her words.

"Ms. Asterike is a valuable person on her own. She's pretty and capable. You should have more self-esteem. After thinking it over carefully, if you decide that you want to continue following the boss, then you will see behaviors that need to be fixed. I'm in the process of fixing them, too."

Asterike kept her mouth shut. She must have had a lot to think about. Of course, she must have felt rebellious, but she must also have felt the need to change.

It was a time of uncomfortable silence.

Kook.

Arya tugged on Asterike's sleeve. When everyone's attention turned to her, she spoke confidently.

"Arya is hungry."

"...It hasn't even been an hour since I ate."

"Anyway, I'm hungry."

"Oh my god, who the hell taught you to speak like this?"

Chelsea laughed blandly at the sight of him getting up from his seat as if he had no other choice. Even though he grumbled, it seemed like he was still concerned. I just hope things go well for him.

And also separately.

'But there's no way that person would stay quiet... ... .'

Chelsea prayed to the God she didn't believe in. If she were to be dragged off on a mission like last time, please at least not ride a helicopter. Please at least not ride a helicopter again.

* * *

Chelsea's prediction was right.

'It's time to start moving.'

Kim Yi-hyun had already planned his next move. But he was only halfway right. Luckily for Chelsea, she wasn't included in the plan he had in mind.

Asterike, who had to take care of Aria, was also the same. Two, no, three, had no or very little role in the main episode. It doesn't matter if they are stuck in the lab.

From the beginning, Kim Lee-hyun had no intention of interfering with the scenario for a while.

The Bastetira Civil War was a difficult situation that Rap's original power could not handle. That's why they had no choice but to actively get involved. From now on, there will be a series of small episodes.

'From here on out, let the professor do what he wants.'

There are no urgent matters to deal with right now. The surroundings have been sorted out to some extent. Now that I have some free time, I think it would be okay to take a vacation, but Kim Lee-hyun is not the type to do that.

If there is a problem, it still remains.

"It's been maintained very well. I've even adjusted it, so it should be more convenient to use than before, right?"

"I don't know what changed or how… but thank you anyway."

"If you're grateful, you little punk, come by often! And bring back some precious materials, too."

"I was going to bring something anyway."

"잉?"

Tamtam, who had returned the blade, made a dumbfounded face.

"What, when did you get back and you're on a business trip again? Kushan, you're going too far."

"No, that's not it. I was just thinking about going out somewhere for personal reasons."

"Aha, okay. Where?"

A question I asked roughly, thinking there might be some business nearby.

Kim Lee-hyun also answered nonchalantly.

"Banjar."

"Oh, there. I know. When I was little...?"

Don't pretend to know, your reaction will become mysterious.

"Did I hear wrong?"

"Listen carefully and then what."

"Are you really going?"

A look was shot at Kim Lee-Hyeon as if he was looking at a crazy person.

"This guy is strange. I guess he has four lives?"

"It's the same place where people live, so why are you making such a fuss?"

"Oh my. Well, it's your freedom, so what else can I say…."

Tsk tsk tsk, he clicks his tongue.

"I told you clearly. Don't blame me even if I die."

"Will you do it? Anyway, I'll ask you to do the maintenance again when I get back."

"If you can come back."

It wasn't just a rumor. Banjar, located on the western side of the continent. It was a place that was already in a state of turmoil even before the disaster. In some ways, it was even more notorious than Basteera.

It is the region with the most prosperous mercenary industry on the continent.

Kim Lee Hyun was also aware of the danger. However, he could not just sit idle in the lab. Of course, he would not miss training, but that alone would have its limitations.

'I can't use Helixivir every time I'm in a hurry.'

In the end, you have to raise your level. This has always been a challenge. I thought that it wasn't a problem that could be solved by simply increasing the number of stars.

It is time to focus on the growth of agent 'Kim Lee-hyun'.